THE TREE FBOG. 



Its habits similar to others. 



insects. These it catches with great dexterity, 

 stealing softly towards them as a cat does towards 

 a mouse, till at a proper distance, when it makes 

 a sudden spring upon them of frequently more 

 than a foot in height. It often suspends itself 

 by its feet, or abdomen, to the under parts of 

 leaves, remaining thus concealed among the fo- 

 liage. The skin of the abdomen is covered with 

 small glandular granules of such a nature as to 

 allow the animal to adhere as well by these as by 

 the toes. It will even stick to a glass by pressing 

 its belly against it. 



About the end of autumn the tree frog retires 

 to the waters, and lies concealed in a torpid state 

 in the mud, or under the banks, till the spring, 

 when, on the return of warm weather, it emerges 

 like the rest of the genus to deposit its spawn in 

 the water. At this period the male inflates its 

 throat in a surprising manner, forming a large 

 sphere beneath its head; it also exerts a very 

 loud and sharp croak, that may be heard to a vast 

 distance. The tadpoles become perfected about 

 the beginning of August, and they soon after- 

 wards begin to ascend the adjacent trees. At 

 this time they are particularly noisy in the even- 

 ings on the approach of rain ; therefore, if kept 

 in glasses in a room, and supplied with proper 

 food, they will supply the place of barometers 

 by affording sure presage of changes of the 

 weather. 



